Liquid conditioning system



I March 11, 1952 A. G. AVILA 2,589,186

LIQUID CONDITIONING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 20, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

A G AVI L A March 11, 1952 A. G. AVILA 2,589,186

LIQUID CONDITIONING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 20, 1948 3 Shee'ts-Sheet 2 FIG.5

JNVENTOR. A .6. AV I L A BY 14 rrmewsv March 11, 1952 A. G. AVILA 2,589,186

LIQUID CONDITIONING SYSTEM 7 Filed Jan. 20, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. A.G.AVIL A Patented Mar. 11,1952

LIQUID CONDITIONING SYSTEM Ahelardoq. Avila, York, Pa assignor to Read iamlan Cemer'a ware.

, a corporation of Dela- Application January 20, 1948, Serial N 0. 3,245

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to liquid conditionin systems, and more particularly to systems of the kind wherein liquid from a source of supply is conditioned and'maintained in itsv conditioned state as a reservoir to be drawn upon intermittently.

While the invention is capable of broad application, it is particularly adapted to provide a supply of liquid ata closely controlled chilled temperature. while being intermittently drawn upon, for example, in supplying water at a closely controlled chilled temperature to a mixer for incorporation with various ingredients to form a-batch of dough. In the preparation of dough it is important that the ingredient water supplied to the mixer be at a predetermined closely controlled chilled temperature and be available at all times as required.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and efiicient system wherein liquid, as water from a city main or other source of supply is cooled and maintained in a cooled condition as a reservoir for intermittent withdrawal of quantities of liquid at a predetermined closely controlled temperature.

Another object is to provide such apparatus which is fully automatic, automaticallyreceiving the warmer water from a source of supply to displace the withdrawn cooled water, automatically controlling the cooling of the water to a desired temperature and automatically maintaining it at the desired temperature within very close limits.

Aiurther object is to provide a liquid conditioning system wherein liquid to .be treated is circulated in heat exchange relation with a refrigerant liquid conditioning medium, and wherein operation of the liquid circulating system is automatically rendered inoperative while conditioned liquid is being withdrawn for use.

Another object is to provide an automatic system of the type just described in which, during withdrawal of conditioned liquid for use tl e pump of the liquid circulating system is operative to amplify the flow of conditioned liquid to the point of use whilebein g-ineffecti-ve to recirculate the conditioned liquid through the system.

Another object is to provide amodified automatic system of the type described in'which, during withdrawal of conditioned liquidior use, the pump is rendered inoperative for all. purposes.

Another object is to provide a modified automatic system of the type. described in which, during withdrawal of .conditionedliquid for use, both 'Ithe pump. andflthe refrigerant circulating system are rendered inoperative for all purposes.

Astill further object is to provide a liquid conditioning system wherein unconditioned liquid I tion when read connection with the namin d awin s in whi 1 is a dia r mm c ew of t ma /e water cooling system, with the watercontaini ng tan sh wn in s ss n i ure 2 i a fr menta zdiagrammaiie vi oi a wate poolin sy tem imila in all s e w th th t s w i i ure 1, but w ng mean including a valve in the feed water line controll ns el ctric ci cu t r in e r n 0P of the pump of the water circulating system Gurins Withd aw l c ndit n -Xm s Figure 3 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of a modified .formof the invention shownin Eigure 2, wherein the control valve for interrur ie w nna t m 'n W th w cf scnq ismeii we: i 'e s amnet smesiwater dis g lin n F u e e is iemre View a mqd e ferns 9 th in nti n sh n Figufe 1 wh the valve in the feedwaterline control's an ele ri qircu t is? inte r ing P s i the pump or thew ater circulating system and operation of the refrigerant ciieeaqurmgwaa d awa Q c nd ii ned e n ihesiraw nssr errins ear su r v to i e the 'lz 'llmfi ifl w ie snet a vertia'llv erect main we r tank and the numerall'l desisne is ii dinel e ga d au li water tank. The auxiliary water tank ll preferahly hasa capacity ahout one'ethird' thato'ff'the ma n wa e tail? 19.-

A wat r s ppl l n 1- wh ch Pr f a nnects with the city mains,- extends into "and through the {upper portion of auxiliary water tanl; l-I.' That portion of the supply line I2 within the tank H'forms'a header 5| Whichislproyided along. its upper side and along its" full length vwitl a pluralityof spaced orifices 13 through which the water from the main enters the :tank I],

A pine t4 communicatin with the bottom of the tank I I and extending into the upper portion of the tank III permits water to flow by gravity or hydraulic pressure from the tank II to the tank III. The portion of pipe I4 extending into the tank I is provided with a horizontal section or header I5 provided along its upper side with spaced orifices I6 through which water passes from the pipe I4 to the tank I0.

The tank I0 is provided with a heat exchange or cooling coil I! for cooling the water in the tank. The coil I1 is preferably disposed centrally of the tank I0 extending vertically from a position near the bottom to a position near the top of the tank I0. Any suitable refrigeration system, may be employed for cooling the coil If. The system illustrated in the drawings include, in addition to the coil II, a compressor I8 operated by a motor 52 which takes the refrigerant, preferably Freon, from the upper end of the coil I! through the pipe I9 and passes it on in compressed condition through the pipe to the condenser-receiver 2I where it is condensed and stored in liquid form.

From the condenser-receiver 2|, the refrigerant fiows through pipe 22 to the expansion valve 23 where the flow of the refrigerant is throttled down and passes through the pipe 24 to the lower end of the coil II. When the refrigerant enters the pipe 24 it starts to boil and as a boiling liquid it flows to the expansion coil I'I. Here the boiling becomes vigorous, due to the heat imparted to the refrigerant from the water in the tank III, which is giving up its heat through the coil I'I. As long as the compressor I8 is in operation, the refrigerant circulates repeatedly through the circuit described above, continuously abstracting heat from the water in tank I0, thereby reducing the temperature of the water.

Operation of the compressor I8 is automatically pipe 21, check valve 28, pipe 29, then through pipe to a point of use, as for example, as ingredient water to a dough mixer (not shown). Or the cooled water withdrawn through pipe 25 may pass through pipe 26, pipe 3I, pipe 32, pump 33, pipe 34, pipe 35, pipe 36, the spring loaded check valve 31, pipe 38 and then into the tank II, forming with the pipe I4 a circulatory system for water between the tanks I0 and II. The pump 33 and motor 53 therefor, may be of any suitable type, the motor being adapted to be supplied with current from a suitable source of v power supply through supply lines 50. e

' In operation, the system is originally filled :with water from the city main through the pipe I I2, and air in the system is expelled through the A thermostatic control bulb 40 disposed in a well 4| communicating with the top of the tank when the water temperature rises above a pre- --mechanism, to actuate the refrigerant circuit selected temperature and to interrupt operation of the refrigerant circuit when the water temperature drops below a pre-selected temperature. The control mechanism includes the thermostatic controlled switch 42 arranged to control a switch 54 for permitting current to flow or interrupting flow of current from a source of power 55 to the motor 52. Where, for example, the water is to be used as ingredient water in the preparation of dough, the thermostatic control is arranged to control the refrigerant circuit to maintain a water temperature of 34 to 35 F.

The thermostatic switch device 42 simultaneously causes the solenoid operated valve 43 to close upon cessation of operation of the compressor I8 and to open upon operation of the compressor I8. Thus when the compressor I8 stops, the simultaneous closing of the valve 43 prevents refrigerant from the pressurized condenser-receiver 2I from flowing through the system past the valve 43, and of course, when the compressor starts to function, the simultaneous opening of the valve 43 permits circulation of refrigerant through the system.

The thermostatic switch device 42 also controls a switch 44 for operating the pump 33 wherebyv the pump 33 starts to function simultaneously with the compressor I8 and stops simultaneously with the compressor I8.

Thus with the tanks In and I I being filled with 1 water from the pipe I2, and the temperature of the water being above 35 F. the thermostatic control system effects operation of the refrigerant circuit. At the same time the pump 33 starts operating providing a circulation of water between the tanks II] and I I through the circulating system previously described. As the water circulates, heat is abstracted from it, and the continuous recirculation thereof gradually reduces the temperature to the pre-selected temperature for which the control system is set, which in the present example is 3435 F., whereupon the .thermostatic control bulb actuates the previously described controls to shut off the pump 33,

. the compressor I8, and to close the valve 43.

Now when refrigerated Water is withdrawn from the tank I!) as ingredient water into a mixer beyond pipe 3!], water automatically enters the tank II through the orifices I3 in header 5I displacing the water that has been withdrawn. By reason of the header being near the top of the tank I I, and being provided with orifices I3 along its upper side, the warm water tends to stratify preventing rise in temperature of the refrigerated water being withdrawn. A baffle 45 in the tank II and the location of header I5 in the tank I3 together with the orifices along the upper side of the header I5, also tend to prevent mixing of the warm water with the refrigerated water being withdrawn, thereby assuring the closely controlled temperature'of the water withdrawn.

When ingredient water is drawn into the mixer from pipe 30, the spring loaded check valve 31 prevents water from being withdrawn from the tank II and assures withdrawal of refrigerated water from the tank III through pipe 25, pipe 26, pipe 21, check valve 28, pipe 29 and pipe 30.

As the refrigerated water is withdrawn, warmer water from the main enters the tank II, impinges on the walls of the control bulb 40, raising the temperature and as previously explained effects functioning of the pump 33 and opens refrigerant feed to the coil I I. The pump 33 will pump refrigerated water from tank If! through pipes 25, 26, 3|, 32, 34, and}!!! to the point of use, as to the mixer inthe present example. The check valve 28 prevents recirculation of the water through pipes 29 and 21 and back through the pump 33, and the spring load on-check valve 31 prevents recirculation through pipes 35, 36 and 38 back to the tank H. Now, when refrigerated water is no longer being "withdrawn into the mixer, the only circuit for the water discharged from the pump 33 isthrough pipes 34, 35, 36, check "valve 31 by overcoming the spring resistance, pipe 38 and into tank ll, thereby providing a continuous circulation of water through the tanks Ill and 1], until the water contacting the control bulb 46 again reaches the pre-selected temperature of '34-35 FL, when the entire system shuts down, as previously described.

The system described above allows drawing at least one third the capacity of the main tank I I) at constant temperature and at least onehalf the capacity thereof without exceeding 1 F. rise in liquid temperature in each continuous drawing. At higher temperatures than that used in the preferred example, greater percentages of liquid can be withdrawn at constant temperature.

In Figure 2 is shown a water conditioning system in all respects the same as that shown in Figure 1 with the exception that means is provided for automatically interrupting operationof the pump 33 while-conditioned water is being withdrawn through pipe 30. This means includes a swing check valve 56 interposed in the feed water line [2. Anarm 51 outside the valve '6 is connected in any suitable manner to swing with the disc 58 of the valve 56. The arm 51 carries a mercury switch 59 whichin one position of the valve 56 makes and in the other position of the valve 56 breaks a circuit that is connected in series with one lead to the pump starting switch 44.

In operation, assuming that water is being withdrawn from the tank I0 through pipe 30, then water will flow through feed pipe l2 into tank II to replace the water being withdrawn.

The water flowing through pipe 12 opens the swing check valve 56, raising'the arm 51 causing the mercury in tube 59to'br'eak the circuit'to the pump starting switch M, whereupon operation of the pump 33 is interrupted.

When water is no longer being withdrawn and the tanks l0 and I] are filled, the swing check valve 56 reassumes its original'position, as shown in Figure 2, whereupon the arm 51 swings downward causing the mercury in tube 59 to close'the circuit to the pump starting switch 44, -eifecting operation of the pump 33.

Since during withdrawal of :water, the pump 33 is rendered inoperative, theswing check valve 60 need not be spring loaded, as the valve 31 of Figure 1. However, it may be spring loaded if desired, but the load must of course be such as to yield to the pressure of the pump 33 during recirculation of water'in the system.

The modification of the invention shown in Figure 3 is in all respects the same as thatillustrated in Figure 2, except that the swing check valve 6| which is thesame as swing check valve 56 of Figure 2, is disposed in the discharge 'line 36 instead'of in the feed water line to the auxiliarytank. In-operation, while water is being withdrawn through line '30, the

arm 62 of valve 6| swings upwardly 'causing'the "mercury switch 63 to break the circuit '"to the pump starting switch 44, and thereby interrupts operation of'the pump'33.

The modification of. the invention illustrated in Figure 4 is the sameas that shown in Figure 2 except that the circuit controlled by the through the discharge pipe 30, replacement water entering tank ll through the feed water .line [2 causesthe arm 65 of the valve 64 to swing upwardly, whereupon the mercury switch 66 breaks the circuit to the switch boxes 54 and .44, and interrupts operation of both the refrigerating circuit and the pump.

It is evident from the above description that the system is entirely automatic and dispenses with manual manipulation of valves except of course for the valve controlling the withdrawing of the desired quantity of water for ultimate use.

For exceptionally large demands of refrigerated water, a refrigerant coil placed inside the auxiliary tank H and supplied with refrigerant by means of a separate expansion valve, will furnish additional refrigeration to carry the added load.

While the invention has been described as a system for cooling water for a specificv purpose and at specifically controlled temperatures,- it is apparent that the invention is adapted for cooling of various liquids for a variety of practical uses and at any desired temperature.

I claim:

1. A liquid conditioning system comprising liquid containing means, a heat exchange element in said containing means adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, means for introducing unconditioned liquid into the upper portion of said .containing means, a liquid circulating system for withdrawal of conditioned liquid from the lower portion of said containing means and reintroduction thereof into the upper portion of said containing means, a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to .said element, means responsive to the temperature of liquid in the 11pper portion of said containing means to control operation of said liquid and medium cirditioned liquid for use as needed, and valve meansresponsive to such withdrawal of conditioned liquid for use to interrupt passage of conditioned liquid into the upper portion of said containing means while conditioned liquid is being withdrawn.

2. A liquid conditioning system comprising a main tank and an auxiliary tank, a heat exchange element in said main tank adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, means for introducing unconditioned liquid into said auxiliary tank, a liquid circulating system connecting said main and 'auxilary tanks adapted for withdrawal of conditioned liquid from said main tank and reintroduction thereof into said auxiliary tank, 'a medium circulating system "for delivering heat exchange medium'to said element,'means responsive to the temperature of liquid in said auxiliary tank to control operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems; means associated with said liquid cir- '7 culating system for withdrawal of conditioned liquid for use as needed, and valve means responsive to withdrawal of conditioned liquid to interrupt passage of conditioned liquid to said auxiliary tank while conditioned liquid is being withdrawn.

3. A liquid conditioning system comprising a main tank and an auxiliary tank, a heat exchange element in said main tank adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, means for introducing unconditioned liquid into said auxiliary tank, a liquid circulating system connecting said main and auxiliary tanks adapted for withdrawal of conditioned liquid from said main tank and reintroduction thereof into said auxiliary tank, a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to said element, thermostatically controlled means responsive to the temperature of liquid 'in said auxiliary tank arranged for simultaneously controlling operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems, means for withdrawal of conditioned liquid for use as needed, and valve means responsive to withdrawal of conditioned liquid to interrupt passage of conditioned liquid to said auxiliary tank while conditioned liquid is being withdrawn.

4. A liquid conditioning system comprising a main tank and an auxiliary tank, a heat exchange element in said main tank adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, means for introducing unconditioned liquid into said auxiliary tank, a liquid circulating system including a force feed line adapted for withdrawal of conditioned liquid from said main tank and reintroduction thereof into said auxiliary tank and a gravity-pressure feed line for delivering liquid from said auxiliary tank to said main tank, a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to said element, means responsive to the temperature of liquid in said auxiliary tank to control operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems, means connected with said force feed line for withdrawal of conditioned liquid for use as needed, and valve means in said force feed line responsive to withdrawal of conditioned liquid to interrupt passage of conditioned liquid to said auxiliary tank while conditioned liquid is being withdrawn. I

5. A liquid conditioning system comprising a main tank and an auxiliary tank, a heat exchange element in said main tank adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, means for introducing unconditioned liquid into said auxiliary tank, a liquid circulating system connecting said main and auxiliary tanks adapted for withdrawal of conditioned liquid from said main tank and reintroduction thereof into said auxiliary tank, a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to said element, thermostatically controlled means responsive to liquid temperature in said auxiliary tank above a predetermined temperature for operating said liquid and medium circulating systems and below a predetermined temperature for interrupting operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems, means for withdrawal of conditioned liquid for use as needed, and valve means responsive to such withdrawal of conditioned liquid to interrupt passage of conditioned liquid to said auxiliary tank while conditioned liquid is being Withdrawn.

6. A liquid conditioning system comprising liquid containing means, a heat exchange element in said containing means adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, means for introducing unconditioned liquid into the upper portion of said containing means, a liquid circulating system including a pump for withdrawal of conditioned liquid from the lower portion of said containing means and reintroduction thereof into the upper portion of said containing means, a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to said element, means responsive to the temperature of liquid in the upper portion of said containing means to control operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems, and means responsive to Withdrawal for use of conditioned liquid for interrupting operation of said pump during such withdrawal.

7. A liquid conditioning system comprising liquid containing means, a heat exchange element in said containing means adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, means for introducing unconditioned liquid into the upper portion of said containing means, a liquid circulating system including a pump for withdrawal of conditioned liquid from the lower portion of said containing means and reintroduction thereof into the upper portion of said containing means, a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to said element, means responsive to the temperature of liquid in the upper portion of said containing means to control operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems, and means responsive to withdrawal for use of conditioned liquid for interrupting operation of said pump and said medium circulating system during such withdrawal.

8. A liquid conditioning system comprising liquid containing means, a heat exchange element in said containing means adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, means for introducing unconditioned liquid into the upper portion of said containing means, a liquid circulating system including a pump for withdrawal of conditioned liquid from the lower portion of said containing means and reintroduction thereof into the upper portion of said containing means, a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to said element,

means responsive to the temperature of liquid in the upper portion of said containing means to control operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems, and means responsive to withdrawal for use of conditioned liquid for interrupting operation of said pump during such withdrawal, said last named means including a normally closed valve adapted to open upon withdrawal of conditioned liquid for use, and means responsive to said valve in its closed position to close an electric circuit to the actuating means of said pump and responsive to said valve in its open position to break an electric circuit to the actuating means of said pump.

9. A liquid conditioning system comprising liquid containing means, a heat exchange element in said containing means adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, means for introducing unconditioned liquid into the upper portion or said containing means, a liquid circulating system including a pump for withdrawal of conditioned liquid from the lower portion of said containing means and reintroduction thereof into the upper portion of said containing means, a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to said element, means responsive to the temperature of liquid in the upper portion of said containing means to control operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems, and means responsive to withdrawal for use of conditioned liquid for interrupting operation of said pump and said medium circulating system during such withdrawal, said last named means including a normally closed valve adapted to open upon withdrawal of conditioned liquid for use, and means responsive to said valve in its closed position to close an electric circuit to the actuating means of said pump and said medium circulating system and responsive to said valve in its open position to break an electric circuit to the actuating means of said pump and said medium circulating system.

10. A liquid conditioning system comprising a main tank and an auxiliary tank, a heat exchange element' in said main tank adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, means for introducing unconditioned liquid into said auxiliary tank, a liquid circulating system including a pump connecting said main and auxiliary tanks, a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to said element, means responsive to the temperature of liquid in said auxiliary tank to control operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems, and means responsive to withdrawal for use of conditioned liquid from said main tank for interrupting operation of said pump during such withdrawal.

11. A liquid conditioning system comprising a main tank and an auxiliary tank, a heat exchange element in said main tank adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, means for introducing unconditioned liquid into said auxiliary tank, a liquid circulating system including a pump connecting said main and auxiliary tanks, a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to said element, means responsive to the temperature of liquid in said auxiliary tank to control operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems, and means responsive to withdrawal for use of conditioned liquid from said main tank for interrupting operation of said pump and said medium circulating system during such withdrawal.

12. A liquid conditioning system comprising liquid containing means, a heat exchange element in said containing means adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, an intake line for introducing unconditioned liquid into the upper portion of said containing means, a liquid circulating system including a pump for withdrawal of conditioned liquid from the lower portion of said containing means and reintroduction thereof into the upper portion of said containing means, a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to said element, means responsive to the temperature of liquid in the upper portion of said containing means to control operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems, and means in said intake line responsive to flow of liquid therethrough into said containing means as conditioned water is withdrawn for use from said containing means for interrupting operation of said pump during such withdrawal.

13. A liquid conditioning system comprising liquid containing means, a heat exchange element in said containing means adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, an intake line for introducing unconditioned liquid into the upper portion of said containing means, a liquid circulating system including a pump for withdrawal of conditioned liquid from the lower portion of said containing means and reintroduction thereof into the upper portion of said containing means,'a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to said element, means responsive to the temperature of liquid in the upper portion of said containing means to control operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems, and means in said intake line responsive to flow of liquid therethrough into said containing means as conditioned water is withdrawn for use from said containing means for interrupting operation of said pump and said medium circulating system during such withdrawal.

14. A liquid conditioning system comprising liquid containing means, a heat exchange element in said containing means adapted to bring a liquid to be treated and a liquid conditioning medium into heat exchange relation, means for introducing unconditioned liquid into the upper portion of said containing means, a liquid circu lating system including a pump for withdrawal of conditioned liquid from the lower portion of said containing means and reintroduction thereof into the upper portion of said containing means, a medium circulating system for delivering heat exchange medium to said element, means responsive to the temperature of liquid in the upper portion of said containing means to control operation of said liquid and medium circulating systems, a discharge line for withdrawing conditioned liquid for use, and means in said discharge line responsive to flow of liquid therethrough for interrupting operation of said pump during such withdrawal.

ABELARDO G. AVILA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,698,561 Ransom Jan. 8, 1929 2,291,023 Burklin July 28, 1942 2,455,590 Krauss Dec. 7, 1948 

